HC-One has partnered with The Open University to offer colleagues in Scotland and Wales the chance to gain a fully funded pre-registered nurse degree.

The partnership will enable senior care assistants, care assistants and nursing assistants to gain a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Kelly Smith, head of nursing at HC-One, said: “HC-One’s suite of nursing programmes offers our colleagues with the opportunity to grow in their careers – offering them the opportunities, support and skills needed to bridge the gap between our carers and registered nurses, allowing our registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical care.

“We are really proud to be working in partnership with The Open University to launch our Pre-Registered Nursing Degree and Nursing Associate apprenticeships to our current colleagues. We are fully committed to supporting the students throughout the programme to achieve this qualification.”

The Pre-Registered Nursing Degree Programme is currently only available to HC-One colleagues in Scotland and Wales. The care home operator said it hoped to expand the offering in the future.

In England, HC-One already offers colleagues the opportunity to complete a Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Programme and a Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship Programme.